MALAYSIA COMMEMORATES 50 YEARS OF ASEAN AT EXPO 2017

8 AUGUST 2017, Astana, Kazakhstan - From championing green growth to celebrating 50 golden years, Malaysia is again inspiring green growth here in Astana as Malaysia joined other ASEAN countries participating at EXPO 2017 for a celebratory evening to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN.

Hosted by the ASEAN Committee in Astana (ACA), which is represented by Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, the anniversary dinner welcomed 400 guests including foreign ambassadors, representatives of international organisations, and business industry leaders, for an evening of camaraderie and dialogue.

Present at the dinner, which was held at Rixos President Astana Hotel, were H.E. Galymzhan Koishybayev, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kazakhstan; H.E. Syed Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman, Ambassador of Malaysia to Kazakhstan; H.E. Rahmat Pramono, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Kazakhstan and the current Chairman of ACA; H.E. Doan Thi Xuan Hein, Ambassador of Vietnam to Kazakhstan; and H.E. Nat Pinyowattanacheep, Ambassador of Thailand to Kazakhstan.

As ASEAN’s most culturally diverse country, Malaysia delighted guests with its cultural performance showcasing the colourful dances and costumes of the different ethnic groups in Malaysia. Guests were also able to learn more about the country’s rich heritage during the craft demonstrations on batik colouring, embroidery beading and basket weaving.

With the sights and sounds of Malaysia highlighted through the cultural performance and craft demonstrations, guests were also treated to Malaysia’s popular street snacks, including keropok ikan (fish crackers), cekodok bilis (anchovies fritters), and mee hoon goreng (fried noodles). There was also a live demonstration by a chef on how teh tarik, a Malaysian milk tea beverage, is made with some spectacular tea-pouring skills.

Since its founding in 1967, ASEAN’s record development, poverty alleviation and conflict resolution is a true success story. However, the next 50 years will bring with it new challenges in a world marked by increasing interdependence, climate change and scarcity of resources.

During his welcome speech, H.E. Rahmat Pramono, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Kazakhstan and current Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Astana, said “As much as what has been achieved over 50 years of its regional integration, challenges remain for ASEAN along the way. ASEAN’s success ultimately will not only be measured by how our Community building efforts are relevant to and have benefited the lives of the ASEAN peoples, but also how ASEAN can continue making positive contribution in resolving global issues. At 50 years of age, ASEAN remains optimistic looking at the future.”

Celebrating ASEAN’s 50th Anniversary in Astana could not have been more apt as the ongoing EXPO 2017 – through its theme of ‘Future Energy’ – aims to address these challenges and create global debate on the generation of more green energy to mitigate global warming.

As an emerging market leader in green growth, Malaysia is at the forefront of this debate as the country showcases its commitment to pursue sustainable development via green technology and innovation at the Malaysia Pavilion. Its interactive content on renewable energy, sustainable growth and energy efficiency has been and continues to inspire green growth conversations throughout EXPO 2017 and the world at large.

Emphasizing the nation’s commitment to powering green growth, Malaysia has committed to add one watt of solar generation for every one social media post on Green Growth with the hashtags #Wattif and #MyButterflyEffect based on the simple question of “Watt If?”

To build an even stronger and greener ASEAN over the next 50 years, during the dinner, the Malaysian delegation to EXPO 2017 invited their esteemed peers from ASEAN to lend their social power to the 1 post = 1 watt campaign (www.fb.com/1post1watt).

Malaysia at EXPO 2017 is spearheaded by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Malaysia and implemented by the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia). For more information about Malaysia at EXPO 2017, visit http://www.greenfuturemalaysia.com or www.facebook.com/EXPO17Malaysia